3200 or BM 645

[neilmc73]

Hi

I'm new to this and was hoping for some advice?

I am looking for a new car as a hobby/5-6k a year runner. I have had BM's for years and was looking at a 645, however, whilst in holiday in the new forrest I stumbled across Meridian Modena (Ferrari/Maserat) dealer and I was stunned by the mas I seen sitting outside, especially when it started! I only have 12k to spend and was looking at a 2001 3200. I have had a lot of feedback on piston heads telling me to stay clear but, there have been positive comments aswell. I favour the mas over the beem because it oozes class and is a head turner, but should a novice buy one? To recap, it would be used approx half the week and do around 5000 miles a year, if I got a low miler with good history will I be let down?

 

[Parisien]

Neilmc, welcome to our forum and thank you for posting and even better going to buy one of the most wonderful cars on the road.

A sorted well looked after 3200 with the 1/2 dozen main items refurbed or checked out is a no brainer.

One thats been neglected and not sorted, a money pit.

First thing to do is ask for lots of advise then get any prospective car independently inspected by one of the many Maserati specialist around.

Will post up the list of indie garages, keep us posted and good luck in your quest.


P

 

[Andyk]

Hi Neil and welcome........As Frank said a well sorted 3200 will be a joy but it is a 60k supercar and running costs are not cheap but they have come down lots since new with some very good specialists.....

 

[neilmc73]

Thanks very much. I appreciate it's essentially a supercar and the cost and level of care should reflect this. What at the half dozen parts to loom out for? I have read that the red key is a must have. Sorry to seem ignorant, I have no experience of these cars apart from standing with my mouth wide open staring at one thinkin, I need a car that makes that noise.

 

[Parisien]

Neil, am at work now...........check which indie is nearest you....give them a call, anyone selling shouldn't have a problem with letting an inspection be done, plus they can hook up the SD diagnostic kit and tell a few things from that. Worth the £150-250 fee, can save £1-4K!

Things such at the throttle potentiometer, end float, plus whether clutch needs changed etc...others who owned these will pass by and put up a check list.

INDEPENDENT MASERATI GARAGES UK

http://classicmaseratis.co.uk/

http://www.emblemsportscars.com/home.aspx

http://www.grimaldiengineering.co.uk/

http://www.cars.robertsaerospace.com/

http://www.autoshieldmaserati.co.uk/...rati/Home.html

http://www.davidaskew.co.uk/

http://www.giallo.co.uk/

http://www.mpsupercars.com/

http://www.auto-sportiva.com/

http://www.shiltech-ferrari.com/

http://www.ferrarimaserati.co.uk/

http://www.sgmsportsltd.com/

http://www.dadsspeedshop.com/

http://www.autofficina.co.uk/about-autofficina

http://www.bhpmsport.com/

http://www.verdi-ferrari.com/about.php

http://www.theferraricentre.com/service

http://www.auto-sportiva.com/maserat...icing-kent.htm

http://www.sbraceengineering.co.uk/


P

 

[GransportFan1]

Welcome Neil, i was on hols in he new forest a few years ago, i think i went to Meridien everyday.

 

[dem maser]

As someone who drove a 645 convertible (uncles, left it for me while he went on hol for 1 month) in 2005 i have to say i never liked it....it is good looking and did turn heads but cant compare it to a maserati.....
I feel like a superstar everywhere i go, people point and you can see them talking if you look in your rear view mirror about the lovely rear....

A good 3200 with all the work done should set you back bout 12k so your budget is good, make sure its had cambelts and if above 60k you also will need chains done at 68k....

All you need to do is decide if auto or manual and then book an indie to check your car....do not buy one without getting it looked over, dont worry bout the £200 they may ask for, you will get that back with negotiation if anything arises that needs looking at......

Once you get one you wont stop smiling!!

 

[neilmc73]

Thanks for all the advice, I'll take it on board. I share the view that a Maserati is a special car, and although I'm a BMW fan, there really is no comparison when it comes to prestige and wow factor. I also share the view of lifes to short, I have known people who have died still wanting things that were in thier reach but, just never thought they should. I like having a fancy car, I don't have any other luxuries, so why not have a Maserati? You don't get much more wow factor than that!! Thanks again for all the great tips.

 

[BennyD]

That's a pretty realistic attitude Neil and I am sure you will make the right decision. We will look forward to seeing the pictures of your new 3200!

 

[davy83]

Hi and welcome to the forum. i can only echo what the others have said about the special nature of the Maserati its like nothing else on the road. the 3200 engine is also real entertainment, you will never tire of the explosive power, you get from the turbos. I probably bought on the of money pits referred to above, and have worked my way through all the niggly problems and although i have had almost all of the potential problems, i still love the car, and i don't think its been as expensive as i have thought. Some parts are expensive but its getting easier to keep them going at sensible prices. I would not think annual services would be any more than the BMW.

 

[Parisien]

Davy, sorry to hear of your problems.....can you overview what you had to put right?

P

 

[neilmc73]

Can someone tell me if I should be aiming for a low miler or a higher miler that's had the 60 odd thousand service, belts, chains etc? Thanks

 

[lozcb]

Hi Neil , sounds like yopu have posed one of those silly questions they advertise on telly competitions , where everyone knows the answer because its so obvious , but then they charge you the earth for a phone call , well were not gonna charge you Neil for the answer , but it is really obvious and a No Brainer , It has to be the Maserati everytime , 3 simple words (do the Homework) read up on here and feel free to ask as much as you require , dont be put off ................be determined , trust me when i say it one of the few cars that will put a permanent grin on your face , give you oodles of street cred , and the hoody oiks will actually give you the nod and thumbs up , whereas they tend to diss the fezza at every oppurtunity ,

Take the advice and search PH and Auto trader , see a few test drive a few auto's and manuals , try the 4200 cambiocorsa(flappy paddle) much more reliable , your budget will see you in an early 02 03 car do it man


regards loz

 

[Paul3200]

Eyes Left. Need I say more Style and Charisma. If you don't mind the attention buy the maser. If you do buy a Beema ( yawn )

Welcome.

Regards
Paul

 

[neilmc73]

I know it's a bit philosophical but, I read a quote the other day that said "If it's still in your mind, it's worth taking the risk". I think any doubt in my head shouldn't be there, yes it might need a bit more care, but just now I care for my 5 series like it was a enzo! Can anyone offer any advice on my previous question about going for a low or higher mileage car? I would always aim as low as I can go but, a higher miler may have a lot of expensive servicing done (chains, belts etc)

Many thanks for all the feedback, I thought the comment about the land yacht was very fitting.

Thanks again

Neil

 

[lozcb]

Personally Neil i'd go for as low a miler as you can afford most of these cars are 2nd or 3rd cars hence people have got a few quid and tend to stick to the servicing requirements , and then are treated as semi garage queens , no harm in that providing they are given a good towsing now and again , and its better for resale , re the big timing chains renewal at 68K miles , not so much of a scare anymore price wise , there are many indies that can do it in situ now for around the £1200 mark , but on the other hand there are some indies that take the view not to replace them untill they are audibly noisy , with the 4200 there are no timing belts just a chain and no recomended mileage point for renewal , its a bullet proof engine provided its serviced as it should be


hope this helps


regards loz

 

[dickygrace]

Neil,
As Loz said I'd look at a 4200 cc. If you do have your heart set on a 3200, personally I'd go for as late a car as possible, make sure it has a white clock as oppose to a black one. One of the few obvious ways of telling when they had revisions. The chain service is meant to be done at 72000 miles or 6 years IIRC. This means that all of them should have had it done, although I'd need to see a receipt rather than take someone's word for it. I do know of a very nice 4200 manual for sale, my old car, that is something special, bet you'd get it for £12500/£13000.

 

[dickygrace]

Loz will be right on the chains, he beat me to it!

 

[dem maser]

Neil,
As Loz said I'd look at a 4200 cc. If you do have your heart set on a 3200, personally I'd go for as late a car as possible, make sure it has a white clock as oppose to a black one. One of the few obvious ways of telling when they had revisions. The chain service is meant to be done at 72000 miles or 6 years IIRC. This means that all of them should have had it done, although I'd need to see a receipt rather than take someone's word for it. I do know of a very nice 4200 manual for sale, my old car, that is something special, bet you'd get it for £12500/£13000.

3200 chains are at 68k.........

 

[dem maser]

never knew that about the clocks.....interesting.......